India rules out talks with Pakistan

June 05, 2009 12:29 IST

India on Friday ruled out resumption of dialogue with Pakistan until it takes 'concrete measures' to prevent terrorism directed against this country.

"Not unless they (Pakistan) take concrete measures to prevent terrorist attacks emanating from the soil of Pakistan aimed against India," External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told reporters when asked whether there was any move to resume dialogue with Islamabad.

His assertion puts at rest speculation that moves were underway to resume dialogue with Pakistan in the near future. Referring to the release of Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, Krishna said, "That only shows that Pakistan is not serious about terror and all that terror spells out."

On the United States advisory cautioning its citizens with regard to travel in India, he pointed out that Home Minister P Chidambaram has already stated that India is a very safe country.

"If there are any concerns of particular countries, we are willing to address these concerns," Krishna said.

The US advisory had said that India faces 'high threat' from terrorism and Americans should be vigilant in this country.

On US President Barack Obama's speech on Thursday in Cairo, Krishna said, "We will have to wait and watch. He has made a broad appeal. It was a reconciliatory speech and we will have to watch the reaction from the Islamic world."

Obama, while trying to reach out to 1.5 billion Muslims across the globe, had talked about a 'new beginning' between the US and the Islamic world based on 'mutual respect'.